Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Are you familiar with written protocol regarding anesthesia assistants (AA)? The new Ohio revised code states that, an anesthesia assistant shall practice only under the direct supervision and in the immediate presence of a physician shall adopt a written protocol . Our Medicare carrier is requesting these letters of protocol before recertifying our AAs. Do you have any suggestions?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners has published a suggested practice protocol, known as Guidelines for Anesthesiologists Assistants. Thirteen guidelines outline how AAs should interact with patients and communicate with the medically directing anesthesiologist. Log on to their Web site at http://www.tsbme.state.tx.us/ and click on the Policy Statements and Guidelines link for a copy of the guidelines.